Bone Grafting

Periodontal Regeneration Surgery-Tissue Regeneration and Bone Grafting

Today, we have the ability to grow bone where and when needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and esthetic appearance.

Bone grafting can repair implant sites with inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions, gum disease or injuries. Ideally, the treatment of periodontal disease restores tissues to their original state. The following three types of regenerative surgery patients should familiarize themselves with.

Bone grafting calls for placing various materials in the bone defect to stimulate the patient’s bone to re-grow. This procedure has been used for over 75 years, however today’s materials are much superior in accomplishing our goals. After 6-12 months, the implanted material is replaced by new bone. This procedure not only gives us the opportunity to place dental implants of proper length and width, but it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and aesthetic appearance.

Bone grafting can repair implant sites with inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions, gum disease, or injuries.

Types of Bone Grafting

There are two main categories of Bone Grafting and regardless of the group, the principles of grafting remain the same:

  • Minor bone grafting: typically falls within the parameters of oral surgery and can generally be managed in an office setting. These grafts are generally placed in preparation for dental implants.
  • Major grafting: Usually performed in a hospital setting and are typically performed to repair defects of the jaws.

Guided Tissue Regeneration

This type of regenerative surgery depends on guiding the proper tissue to heal the periodontal lesions. Once healed, the gum tissue migrates down into the bone pocket quickly. Unfortunately for the patient, this doesn’t allow time for the bone to refill the pocket, enabling the defect to persist. The predictability of guided tissue regeneration allows time for the bone to fill back in, yielding the best results.

Cell Stimulation

Cell stimulation is based on the placement of special proteins into the defect, which stimulates production of new bone and tissue cells that reform the normal periodontal complex. These porcine (pig) proteins carry no risk of disease transmission and often provide the best approach under certain circumstances.
Your surgeon will discuss with you whether you are a good candidate for cell stimulation. Patients can feel confident that periodontal regeneration is now being used with a high level of frequency.

Our practice can solve many problems with cosmetic procedures that use crowns or veneers, depending on your specific situation.
We offer the following options to help you enjoy a beautiful and sustainable smile.

  • Correcting a Gummy Smile – Gum sculpting can easily help teeth appear more natural and dramatically help improve a smile.
  • Root Coverage – This helps conceal unsightly roots that result from gum recession. Gum grafts restore healthy tissue and improve appearance for a more beautiful and healthy smile.
  • Irregular Levels – It’s difficult to create a truly beautiful smile without a natural gum contour. This procedure can improve your smile from good to great.
  • Ride Augmentation – Tooth extraction can leave an unsightly ridge in the gum line that prevents artificial teeth from looking real. Ridge augmentation helps create a natural-looking smile by fixing this problem.
  • Treating Extraction Sites – Our surgeons use tooth extraction methods to prevent unsightly ridges for patients. This leads to a smile that you will be proud of when the tooth is replaced.